Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 08/01/2021 *Starred Review* Suffering Sappho! This story about Wonder Woman, the iconic comic book, comic strip, TV show, and blockbuster superhero movie persona, splendidly parallels the history of women in America over the past 80 years. Our story begins in 1941, when white men were in charge of the exploding comic book market. The idea of introducing a woman character was radical, but the publisher of Superman, Charlie Gaines, liked the idea, so Wonder Woman was born. This clever account highlights women like Joye Hummel, who wrote and edited Wonder Woman comics during the 1940s when the men went off to war; empowered women of the 1960s, such as Gloria Steinem, who put Wonder Woman on the cover of the very first Ms. Magazine; and Patty Jenkins, the groundbreaking director of both recent Wonder Woman films. The text stresses how all these women defied expectations and took on new roles, vanquishing misogynistic villains at every turn. The wonderfully detailed illustrations create nuance, showing diverse audiences enthralled with various versions of our heroine (and be sure to look for cameo appearances by other feminist icons). The back matter includes an especially entertaining author’s note, source notes, and recommended reading suggestions. This is an engaging addition to the superhero canon and packs quite a punch for everyday women heroes. - Copyright 2021 Booklist.